First hour impressions with Korra. I'm playing this on PC with a GTX 660, an AMD FX-8320 processor, and 8 gigs of ram. This will just be about mechanics, nothing spoilery about the story. I'm playing on normal difficulty first.
Game is smooth as silk so far. I haven't experienced a single hiccup, not even in the opening sequence. I suspect that even someone with a lower end computer could run this without any problem.
The opening is a little slow to start, and the game doesn't exactly explain things right away. However, the mechanics aren't difficult. Korra can shift her attack/bending style with the bumper buttons on the Xbox controller, and you can do this in between combos it appears. I'll have to experiment with it once I get more bending styles. Right trigger is dodge, left trigger is block/parry. Jump with A, X is light attack, Y is heavy. B I haven't seen used other than as a finisher prompt or a QTE prompt (thus far, just escaping a snare).
Your parry window is probably a little larger than MGR was, but it's still extremely satisfying to land a parry. I've just gotten Waterbending back, and it allows you to do distance finishers which are extremely pleasing to use and have the added effect of doing some damage around you while you're "winding up" the finisher. As a fun note, using a particular bending levels up that bending, granting you bonuses such as extra health or extended charge times for your attacks. Every attack has a charge period to build up "chi," granting additional damage (and I presume allowing for dodge offsets).
Occasionally (I hope more than once), you'll hop on the back of Korra's pet Naga for a Temple Run-esque minigame. Since I was/am addicted to that game, I fucking love these sections, but I can understand why some people don't like them.
As you play you earn the game's version of XP, Spirit Energy, though combos, end of chapter bonuses, and vanity items that you find in chests spread out around the level. The vanity items can't be equipped, they're just bonus Energy when you get to the end of the level. You spend this energy in the shop to unlock more of your combos or additional effect items, akin to Bayonetta's shop system.
Everything feels pretty good so far. Korra isn't exactly floaty, and the attacks have solid impacts and effects on the mobs you face. Her dodge is fine, but parrying feels so rewarding.
My only gripe so far is that I really want the camera to be pulled back further. I couldn't find an FOV slider in the options, but it's entirely possible I'm blind. I also don't like having the lock on assigned to pressing down on my movement stick, but the way the game makes use of the shoulder buttons, I understand why they did that.
I'll have an official verdict once I feel like I've played more of the game, but thus far I have highly positive impressions!
